Today was a sad day. Today the world lost a great soul. Today the world is a less silly place. Today we all lost a true artist. Today I lost a friend and mentor. Today, Matthew Burkholder, actor/director/teacher/friend, lost his battle with cancer and has made is way home to Heaven.
I have many memories with Matthew that bring a smile to my face even as tears stream down my cheeks at our loss. He was a talented director, but more than that, he was a true inspiration. He pushed those he worked with to their best work and beyond, to find their passions and cultivate them. Even in death, he will continue to inspire me with his words of wisdom and encouragement. He may no longer be with us, but his memory and legacy will live on. I was blessed to know Matthew and learn from him. My only hope is that I was able to teach and help him as much as he did for me.
The photo above is the VERY first photo I took with my MacBook computer the first day I took it to RoJo. Matthew made me smile and I asked him to pose for a photo even with my sweaty, post dance class glamour look! I am so glad I did.
The photo above is the VERY first photo I took with my MacBook computer the first day I took it to RoJo. Matthew made me smile and I asked him to pose for a photo even with my sweaty, post dance class glamour look! I am so glad I did.
This photo is one of my favorite photos I took of Matthew. He was always in a silly mood, and even in his serious directing moments, he still found the humor and silliness in life. I know he is now in Heaven, being his silly self and I am looking forward to seeing his smiling face once again someday.
You never really think about not seeing someone again. Just the other day, I was commenting on Matthew's facebook photos about how I missed him and his talented direction and how I was looking forward to working with him again in the future, whenever that would be. Now, I will not have another chance, but I count my blessings of all the wonderful times I have worked with Matthew. I was his ASM for "Thoroughly Modern Millie." I was the ASM for "Medea" and Matthew was the Puppeteer Choreographer. I was his ASM for his direction of "The Violet Hour." And I was honored to have called Matthew a friend.
You never really think about not seeing someone again. Just the other day, I was commenting on Matthew's facebook photos about how I missed him and his talented direction and how I was looking forward to working with him again in the future, whenever that would be. Now, I will not have another chance, but I count my blessings of all the wonderful times I have worked with Matthew. I was his ASM for "Thoroughly Modern Millie." I was the ASM for "Medea" and Matthew was the Puppeteer Choreographer. I was his ASM for his direction of "The Violet Hour." And I was honored to have called Matthew a friend.
My favorite memory of Matthew is from the Disney Guerrilla and is characterized by the photo to the left. I was dressed as Snow White and Matthew was clad in camo and dubbed himself "The Woods" from Winnie the Pooh, I believe. Well, I went on to say that I needed some scary woods to run away from (since I was Snow White of course!) and then this picture took place. He said, "SCARY WOODS! BOO!" and I screamed and ran away. Of course, we continued this for the rest of the night and well into the semester and it was still a running joke between the two of us.
No matter who you are, or what you do, be sure to care for those around you. Stay in touch with friends and support one another. Life is short and everyone could use an encouraging words and a bit of inspiration.
I know that Matthew is looking down on me now and I will continue to pray for all of his family and friends as we grieve this great loss of a friend and artist.
Remember friends to live and love,
Reagan
No matter who you are, or what you do, be sure to care for those around you. Stay in touch with friends and support one another. Life is short and everyone could use an encouraging words and a bit of inspiration.
I know that Matthew is looking down on me now and I will continue to pray for all of his family and friends as we grieve this great loss of a friend and artist.
Remember friends to live and love,
Reagan
RSS Feed
